Summary
Physical Description
Ecology
Life History & Behaviour
Anatomy & Physiology
Evolution & Systematics
Biogeographic Distribution
Conservation & Threats
References & Links | Biogeographic distribution
Ascidians from the genus Pyura occur globally from polar regions (e.g. Pyura discoveryi in Antarctica) to the tropics (e.g. P. gangelion) (Kott, 2004; Tatian et al., 1998). Pyura species have also been recorded at a vast range of depths with P. stolonifera inhabiting the intertidal zone and P. discoveryi found at a depth of 2350m (Edgar, 2008; Lemaitre et al., 2009). A wide range of habitats are occupied by species of this genus including rocky intertidal flats, coral reefs, the sea floor and seamounts (Edgar, 2008; Stocks, 2009).
Figure 1. Distribution of species from the genus Pyura based on the sites of identified specimens from 102 Pyura species. Data from Global Biodiversity Information Facility
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